Maxim Vengerov plays Walton Viola concerto

i can lizen to this 100 times without get boared. hes so amasing and passioned

Violabrain is right the viola does require a different way of playing. Im a violist myself and know this for a fact, you should either play violin or viola not both...also never take viola lessons by a violinist, because you will learn to play the viola like a violin

You are either musical or not. To say someone should stick to violin just because they can play both is ridiculous. Ok his posture is not the idealised one found in tutors, but so what? Is it musical? Yes. Is it in tune? Yes. Is it expressive? Yes. The viola doesn't confer a special technique...it's just a larger violin. Let's not be so precious about it!

Viola requires a different way of playing. Violinists TEND TO play viola like a violin, producing a wispy sound without a core. This obvious on the lower strings in particular. Viola requires more pressure with both the right and left hand. The size of the viola also requires a compromise of posture and comfort. Violists find it annoying that violinists with successful careers take opportunities from potential viola soloists. "Moonlight violists" William Primrose called them.

Hi Violabrain, I appreciate the points you make but what might be happening here (in this case) is pure resentment that a perceived established violin player is "invading" the space of the viola playing fraternity. The point is, you might have views on Vengerov in general, but if you close your eyes and listen, he plays the viola as well as (and possibly better) than others who jealously guard their viola patch. Some of the anti Vengeroc/viola comments appear as loittle more than sour grapes!

It's not totally pleasing to listen to in my opinion. I feel like there isn't core to the sound except on the higher strings. That's the impression that I get from this clip anyway. In that way this recording isn't pleasing to my ears. My evaluation may be more stringent because of being a violist. Pinky.Z plays viola well. He produces an even sound (I saw him live with the C[hicago]SO) that doesn't sound hollow on the C and G strings. It may also just be the instrument.

omg dude, listen his walton concerto entirely, how he tries to pull off fortissimos with brutal strength of the bow, playing three strings at once that are NOT in the music just because he plays viola like a barbarian, viola techinque needs a lot more than EMOTIONS, maybe you couldnt understand what viola is about, but dont come to youtube to show your ignorance: "The viola doesn't confer a special technique...it's just a larger violin."
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Hi Xujam, having spent 25 years of my life as an orchestral arranger and conductor I assure you I do understand what a viola is! Vengerov won a grammy for the Walton piece. It's all a matter of opinion and yes he does play the viola with a lot of energy, and perhaps not to everyone's taste, but to imply he is not qualified to play it is nonsense. I personally like the fact that he's made a change from the traditional view of the viola as a shy, retiring instrument played by introverts.

maxim should stick to violin he plays the viola lie a violin

Yes. Yes you are.